Libya has again condemned the Egyptian president for recent comments suggesting that Cairo “will not stand idle” against threats to national security and could arm Libyan tribes against the internationally recognised government in Tripoli.
During a meeting in Cairo with tribal leaders from the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Thursday, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Egypt will not stand idle in the face of any moves that pose a direct threat to the national security not only of Egypt but also that of Libya and the region, according to her presidential statement.
In response, the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticised the statement as “blatant interference in Libyan internal affairs”.
The Egyptian president’s comments came days after the eastern-based Libyan parliament, aligned with renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, gave in-principle support to a threatened Egyptian military intervention in the country.
In June, el-Sisi suggested that Cairo could launch “external military missions” into Libya, saying “any direct intervention in Libya has already become legitimate internationally” in which he further threatened to send in his army if GNA forces captured Sirte, located more than 800km (500 miles) from the Egyptian border.
In June, Cairo proposed a peace initiative calling for a ceasefire, withdrawal of mercenaries and disbanding militias in the neighbouring country.
Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned the United Nations Security Council that the conflict in Libya has entered a new phase with foreign interference reaching unprecedented levels. Africa-News reports.